The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested six individuals and sealed several shops in Sabon Gari, Kano, over the illegal sale and distribution of harmful skin-bleaching creams.
The development was disclosed by the Kano State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr. Kasim Ibrahim, during a press briefing on Tuesday.
According to Ibrahim, the operation followed public complaints received via social media, as well as a directive from the agency’s Director-General.
“Following complaints received through various social media platforms and a directive from the Director-General, we carried out discreet surveillance and mystery shopping of the products in question,” he said.
The investigation revealed that six suspects were involved in the distribution and unregulated use of bleaching creams falsely marketed as beauty spa treatments. These products, Ibrahim noted, contained harmful and unapproved substances.
“After thorough analysis and investigation, we identified approximately six individuals behind these illegal activities,” he added.
The raid, conducted in collaboration with NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, resulted in the arrest of the suspects, profiling of their products, sample collection for laboratory analysis, and sealing of the affected shops.
Ibrahim also revealed that other businesses caught counterfeiting registered cosmetics or breaching regulatory guidelines were sealed, with further regulatory actions pending.
NAFDAC reiterated its core mandate to regulate the manufacture, distribution, and sale of regulated products, including cosmetics, to safeguard public health.
“This action was taken to avert a potential public health crisis. The criminal use of harmful substances in cosmetics poses serious risks to public safety,” Ibrahim stressed.
He urged the public to remain alert and report suspicious activities to NAFDAC, highlighting the agency’s commitment—under the leadership of Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye—to strict regulatory enforcement.
“If you see something, say something. That’s how we can prevent public health emergencies,” he advised.
Ibrahim also expressed appreciation to the media for their continued support and reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to protecting the health and well-being of Nigerians.
